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Pityriasis Rosea and Herpes 2

Is it possible that pityriasis rosea could cause positive HSV-2 results? Dermatologist diagnosed me as possibly having pityriasis rosea....however when the blood tests she ordered came back she stated that I had positive results for HSV-2. I understand that PR is related to HSV-6 & HSV-7...but is it possible that PR could cause a positive result for HSV-2?
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Avatar universal
I'm a 32 year old gay male and what you described is very similar to what I experienced as well. Frighteningly similar actually. I have been with very few people (less than 5.) I was diagnosed with hsv2 at 27 and I had not had sexual intercourse or been fully naked in bed with anyone since I was 22. I'm assuming I contracted it around 22. Some would consider me to be a cute guy and I simply didn't have sex because I am just not a promiscuous guy by nature. That was the only reason for the five year hiatus. I did have small outbreaks on my lower back that I noticed first noticed at around age 24, but whenever I would go to the E.R. they would tell me it was various things, including shingles. Well, it wasn't shingles at all. I finally got a panel of blood work done and was negative for everything except hsv2. My test said 5.0.  And then about 6 months after I was officially diagnosed, I got the rash that you described. it was on my arms, and legs. I went to MANY doctors and no one was ever able to confirm what it was. After doing some research of my own, I STRONGLY feel that it was pityriasis rosea. I was prescribed prednisone as well. I would take it and the rash would disappear, but as soon as I was all out of the steroids the rash would reappear. This lasted for 2-3 weeks and it eventually went away on it's own. What I have found is that hsv2 can manifest itself in many ways. Sometimes it's just a single bump, sometimes it just a sensation, itch etc... I hope this helps. I most often get bumps on my lower back and butt. They are so small that most people would not even notice them. Today was the first day in all of my years of dealing with this that I had a small blister on the skin of my penis. If it were not for the slight itch that I felt, I would not even know it was there. So yes, this virus can definitely lay dormant and you can definitely have it with no symptoms or very small symptoms. It has taken me a lot of time to come to terms with all of this because medical professionals were of absolutely no help. I had to become very proactive when it came to my own well-being.
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Avatar universal
Hi Grace,

It's so strange that I randomly came across this post.  I am a 31 year old gay man.  I got a thorough STD check done back in December which ultimately resulted in me testing positive for herpes simplex 2.  It was an Igg test and I believe my value was 5.  

This came as a great shock to me as I had very minimal experience. You see I was a 30 year old virgin and had only had anal intercourse (twice with the same person in one night and used a condom both times)...I have also had minimal experience performing oral. Add only 3 people to that equation. Each person only being one time.  I understand that herpes could have been transmitted during these occasions (I've read all about viral shedding) but being that my entire sexual history can be placed on one hand...I felt like the odds were just too unbelievable. I didn't really see any outbreaks during my sexual encounters. Nor have I shown ANY symptoms since my diagnosis. No itching. Nothing.  I even tested negative for Herpes 1. Which I thought odd, because it's more easily contractible.

Now a couple of weeks before I got tested, I got an unusually painful sore throat.  It was so sore that I was sure I had caught something serious. The pain in my throat only started to subside along with the arrival of itchy red bumps on my skin a few days later.  I'm not sure where they started but they spread over onto my chest and face and arms.  I couldn't tell if it was an allergic reaction to anything so I went to a nearby clinic. The doctor wasn't very thorough and didn't really bother to investigate what it was or the cause of it.  I even asked him if my jives could be related to my sore throat. And he said "No." He just prescribed me some Prednisone and sent me on my way.

Looking at pictures of PR and reading the symptoms makes me think I most likely had Pityriasis Rosea.

I've been unable to really wrap my head around contracting herpes 2 with such limited sexual experience. So I guess what I'm asking is...is it possible my Igg blood tests were affected by Pityriasis Rosea?

And what test would you recommend me taking to get the most definitive answer?
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101028 tn?1419603004
did you get the results back?
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5013524 tn?1362581076
Yes the wrong test was performed. I later got the HerpesSelect IgG test done
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101028 tn?1419603004
sounds like you had the wrong testing done for hsv2 unless you had a typo.
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5013524 tn?1362581076
Yes a hsv 7 IgG (IFA) test was taken to determine HSV-2. How is that possible? And the reference range was <1:320 and my test results was the same. Can you tell me what does that mean?
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101028 tn?1419603004
glad you are getting better answers :)
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Avatar universal
I just wanted to follow up with my results. After my last post, I went back to the doctor in pure disbelief that this could be true. I never had an outbreak, never had a bump, never even a suspicious hair bump...NOTHING! I'm not promiscuous and have been with the same partner for 4 years. Neither him nor me have ever had a single symptom or sign. So it was just too hard to believe or accept. At that time the doctor proceeded to tell me that retesting wouldn't change the outcome and that I had HSV2. She recommended me to start valtrex. She said 99% positive but still retested me after I wouldn't take no for an answer. Those test results came back positive for HSV2, 3.0 again. Still not wanting to believe I was positive, I found one of the few places in NY that does the biokit and WB testing. Both came back NEGATIVE! Major lesson to learn here is that if you don't have symptoms and are not high risk for HSV2 and have a number of less than 3.5, demand confirmatory testing! I can't help but to wonder how many people have been misdiagnosed as positive for HSV2 and live their lives accordingly. If I would have not demanded confirmatory testing a misdiagnosis could have seriously affected my life, my happiness, my relationship with my husband. If it wasn't for this website and the help of Grace, I would have just accepted the diagnosis. Thank you for everything!
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101028 tn?1419603004
your hsv2 is a low positive so since you haven't had any obvious genital symptoms to culture, seeking out a herpes WB blood test 4 months after you last had sex is the best course of action.

do you have a regular partner? if so, have they sought out testing yet?
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Avatar universal
Grace please help...
This is what the results list

HSVG2 IgG        Positive       Negative
Antibody index   [H]  3.0.        <0.9

Then the results say: the test is for IgG only
I'm going to a diff doctor this Thursday for retest. Should I be asking for a particular type of test?
Thank you
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101028 tn?1419603004
once I see your results, I'll give you plenty of info as to what testing to get and when if need be :)
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Avatar universal
Grace also let me add that this same doctor has twice diagnosed me wrong on other issues unrelated. Which is why I'm going to a different doctor Thursday...
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Avatar universal
Thank you Grace for the response. I'm calling the doctor on Monday to get the specifics of what type of test and what the actual number was. She just said is was a low positive. I have made a follow up for this Thursday as well. Which test is the most accurate and what is the lab number of it? I'm going to ask for a retest because I need to be 100% positive before I speak with my spouse. At this point I'm just devastated. Also, could that number tell if the infection is newly acquired, as I have been in a monogamous relationship for 4 years...or at least on my part.
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101028 tn?1419603004
I can best help if you post your actual herpes test result s- e.g hsv1 4.7and hsv26.2  or whatever they are . thanks !

grace
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